A Blog about the Daily Life on the Tropical Island of Koh Samui

More on Muay Thai - Nak Muay Ying

Text and Photography by Nike - Saturday, July 30, 2011

Lady Boxing has become more and more popular over the last few years. Like myself, there are many other women who trains Muay Thai here on Koh Samui. Most of the time women train for the mere purpose of getting fit, for weight loss, body toning or for self-defense, but there are some women who become really good at muay thai and decide to take up training for fighting. In Lamai you will see regular lady boxing fights on Saturday nights. However, these fights might be considered more for entertainment purposes and betting, but more professional fights between both local and international women fighters can be seen at some of the local stadiums here.

Lady boxing was not always allowed or recognized in earlier times, in fact in many ways it is still frowned upon today. The two biggest muay thai stadiums in Thailand- Rajadaman and Lumpinee, still has a men only policy when it comes to the ring. Olden beliefs were that women will jinx any muay thai ring they fight in. Most men still object to the idea of women touching their mongkons, or good luck charms.

Nowadays professional lady boxing is internationally recognized and the only difference between male and female fights is the time duration of the match rounds. I hope to one day take a shot... or a punch at muay thai fighting, but for now it's still the everlasting and aching hours of training and the long journey ahead.